In the latter half of last season, Force India made an incredible jump from the back of the grid where they had been since entering the sport in 2008, to fighting for points courtesy of an aerodynamic update. This lead to an incredible pole position, followed up with a 2nd place finish at Spa-Francorchamps for the team and Giancarlo Fisichella.
Can Force India carry on in their push towards the front end of the grid in 2010?
Force India VJM03
Force India have stated that they are confident that they have quite an efficient car overall. The VJM03 is an evolution of the team’s 2009 car, with the rear end and diffuser of the car changing the most. The gearbox has also been tweaked making it easier to work around.
The VJM02 was a relatively low drag car that showed well on the low downforce tracks. As was demonstrated throughout 2009, that was a useful attribute but as Force India go into 2010 they have tried to maintain a high level of aerodynamic efficiency, but they have tried to gain a general level of performance that is suited to all types of circuits.
The team are continuing to use the Mercedes engine, which is one of the most powerful engines in F1.
Drivers
Both of Force India's drivers; Vitantonio Liuzzi and Adrian Sutil will both be fighting to keep their place in F1.
Adrian Sutil has only ever scored 6 championship points despite being in Formula 1 for 3 years. Even so, he has shown glimpses of speed, but he undoubtedly needs to have more composure and control his aggression if he wants to score more points in F1.
I thought we’d seen the back of Vitantonio Liuzzi when he left Toro Rosso at the end of 2007. However, he came back towards the end of the 2009 season, replacing the Ferrari-bound Giancarlo Fisichella at Force India, and he has stayed in the drivers seat for 2010.
Both drivers will be keen to prove they have what it takes to perform in Formula 1, as if they haven’t, the highly rated Scot Paul di Resta is ready and waiting to step up from his test driver role.
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“but as Force India go into 2010 they have tried to maintain a high level of aerodynamic efficiency, but they have tried to gain a general level of performance that is suited to all types of circuits”
This is what I want to see whether they have retained that strength for low downforce tracks like Spa and Monza or (which is probably most likely) lost about of the edge and if so how much.
Sutil has the speed but if he hasn’t moved up the ladder by now I’m not sure he ever will. This is also probably Liuzzi’s last chance. I think Sutil will come out on top but only just and then Paul dR will get the drive.